TALKS
/ BOOKS / DESIGNS- 2015

Blueprints

Visions and Dreams of Technopia

In Self as Computer, Alan Radley looks at the computer not as a tool, or as a bicycle-for-the-mind, but simply as self. He argues that humans are becoming so enmeshed with the computer, in terms of how we think, act and communicate; that soon it may no longer be possible to identify where the self ends, and the computer begins, and vice-versa. Predicted by some, are marvellous benefits for technology; in terms of enhancements to our social, creative and personal lives.

But already clear, is that not all of the associated problems lie in the realm of speculation. One example, is that the Internet is moving ever further away from the free and open system as foreseen by its original designers; whereby citizens are routinely censored, hacked and/or spied upon. Other questions arise; such as who builds today’s systems, and in what sense(s) are they useful, humane or democratic?

Explored are human-friendly designs for the computers of tomorrow, whereby the wishes, plans and actions of society may be aligned to benefit all.

Self-as-Computer (400 pages) is available from Amazon; and has 1000 illustrations.

REVIEWS for Self as Computer

Review by Dr Kim Veltman

This is a bold and important book. It is a new attempt to develop the idea of a World Brain: to offer theoretical rationales, practical criteria and guidelines for the creation of a Universal Library entailing nothing less than a reorganisation of all knowledge. Traditional visions (The Library of Babel, The Universal Library) were mainly updated versions of the Library of Alexandria. Radley’s vision is about much more: the creation of contextualised ideas, circuits of thoughts. Outlined are techno- rights, which make visible the thoughts, opinions, insights of everyman, and thus transform the vision of freedom of thought as outlined in the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights. The utilitarian goal is a new Internet: a technopia that will benefit the whole of humanity, rather than specific companies, interest groups and individuals.

This is not, as its title could suggest, simply another techno-optimist book by a scientist promising that computers offer a simple panacea to everything. On the contrary, it traces how early visions of networked knowledge (e.g. Otlet, Engelbart, Nelson) were narrowed into an Internet and World Wide Web which, although popular, preclude a systematic access to thoughts, ideas, knowledge as foreseen in this vision. It is often said: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This book explores an implicit corollary. If the system has too many broken links, then we need to start again from scratch and build a new system. This entails creating a new mechanical device. But the larger vision is that this device will improve human thinking methods.

Part of the narrowing that has occurred in the past half century has been driven by the computer science community, especially the AI faction, whose claims concerning artificial intelligence, machine thinking, autonomous computing, continue to inspire visions of mechanical intelligence competing with and/or replacing human intelligence (transhumanism, post-humanism, cf. the predicted Singularity). Radley offers a radically different vision where man remains the master and computers are the tools, servants of man-made visions. To establish this, three chapters are devoted to the self, ideas and thinking, offering a telescoped history of Western philosophy from Plato and Aristotle to the present. Two chapters outline the limitations of current computers and machines. Further chapters outline emerging potentials of user interfaces, cyberspace, virtual reality and robots.

The central vision is of a World Brain, with circuits of thoughts leading to a city of thoughts and ultimately technopia. The author acknowledges that these are linked with dreams of utopia, but is also careful to outline competing dystopian visions. The margins are lined with c. 1,000 illustrations, which offer a visual account of these utopian and dystopian possibilities: ranging from comic strip cartoons and historical diagrams to numerous illustrations of patented devices. It ends with a Universal Declaration of Human- Techno Rights, a Technopian Manifesto and 10 Commandments for humans to computers. The media are filled with articles about how computers are revolutionising the world. Radley’s book suggests that the real revolution has yet to begin. It catalogues numerous dangers, but ultimately it is a paean of hope in and for human freedom.

Kim H. Veltman, 2015.

Professor Kim Veltman is a member of the International Who's Who of Professionals. In 1996, he was awarded the International Capire Prize for a Creative Future in the area of science and art integration. In 1998, he received a Learning Partnership Award (Toronto) and a Prix des Initiatives from Université d’été de la Communication (Hourtin). In November 2009, he was awarded a Silver Order: “Service for the Arts”, International Academy of Culture and Art (Moscow). In January 2015, Kim was awarded a World Media and Library Leaders Lifetime Achievement Award by the Satija Research Foundation for Library and Information Sciences (University of Delhi); and for his work as a 'Thinker, Researcher, Media Expert, Webologist, Linguist, Anthropologist, Science Historian and Art Connoisseur' and for his 'Dedication to Knowledge Organisation and Outstanding Scholarship'.

PRESENTATIONS

Keynote
talk:Circuits of Thought, at the International Conference on
Multimedia, Scientific Information and Visualization for Information Systems and Metrics. Andalucina, Malaga, January 28, 2015.
[pdf]

KeyMail is
multi-encrypted P2P electronic
mail.
You can be certain that any data shared is safe and secure,
because nobody, other than the recipient, can access its
contents—or even know it was sent. To get KeyMail or
arrange a demo >contact
me.

SELF AS COMPUTER>Press Kit
[pdf]Humans are merging with
the computer, in terms of how we think, act and communicate. Soon
it may no longer be possible to identify where the self ends, and the
computer begins, and vice-versa. My new book: Self-as-Computer explores the ethical, moral and spiritual dimension(s) of computers.

My new DataPipes product is an exciting technology with a unique binary-level data compression algorithm. It works at 'right-angles' to other methods; and provides superior 'top-up' compression-ratios/transfer-speeds in a range of applications.

UWASCII is a new way to transfer text-based content. It provides faster data transfer rates for Websites etc.
My products DataPipes and UWASCII are built on top of breakthrough low-level transmission algorithms. To get DatPipes/ UWASCII >contact
me.

In my spare time, I am a fitness instructor who
specializes in dumbbell strength training / therapy.
Dumbbell
training is the most natural, advanced and versatile system for
improving the body.alan.radley@gmail.com